[Please join me in praying for children, families, and our future on Thursdays this year.]
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” (Psalm 9:10 NIV)
My mind and heart are on my newly-engaged oldest and their relationship and on other young adults. Perhaps you, too, have loved ones or young friends who are spreading their adult wings and taking small flights and you are watching with a mixture of joy and apprehension. One of the realities of being past young adulthood is that we have more perspective and wisdom – we know how life choices can crash and burn. One of the gifts of young adulthood is not having so many reservations and even fears about life. Yet, one of the gifts of any stage of adulthood is finding JOY in following God. So, today, let’s pray for “launching” young adults.
God,
You are the Creator, Sustainer, and Giver of all life. Thank you for the amazing children you have created, for their presence and blessing in our lives, and for the opportunity to raise them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Forgive us when our parenting has not been according to your Way, Truth, or Abundant Life. Provide healing, forgiveness, and grace in relationships. Pour out your Spirit on us and these young people as we seek you. Help us trust you in all of life.
Help me to trust that your ways are higher than mine, your thoughts are higher than mine, and your love for them is way bigger than mine.
Help me to trust you with our children, especially as they are leaving our home and moving into the next chapter of their (and our!) lives.
Help me to know that the prayers we have prayed for our children are not in vain – that these young people have been and are arrows in the hands of warriors, and these arrows are released with intention, plan, and destiny.
Help me trust you that if we have raised them up in the Way they should go, they will not far depart from it.
Help me trust that if we’ve helped them to grow in their spiritual walk with you, you will honor that growth and guide them to continue to walk with you.
Help me to trust that they will listen to the wise counsel around them and have the humility and courage to do the next right thing.
Help me to trust that as they make (young) adult decisions – under Holy Spirit’s influence and after seeking wise counsel – they will be able to walk the path you have for them.
Help me to trust that, even if they are making different Major Life Decisions than I did at that age, you are still in their journey.
Help me trust that even if they fail and fall, you will never leave them or forsake them; they will never “fail” if they are aligned with you.
Help me remember that if I have parented well, I will decrease and YOU will increase in my children’s lives.
I trust you, Lord; help my distrust.
Always we will lift up our souls into your presence, Yahweh. Be there for us, my God, for we keep trusting in you. Don’t allow fears to overtake us. Firmly entwine our hearts with yours so we can trust you more deeply. Direct us, Yahweh, throughout our journeys so we can experience your plans for our lives. Reveal the life-paths that are pleasing to you. Escort us into your truth; take us by the hand and teach us, for you are the God of our salvation. Forgive our failures as young people and overlook the sins of our immaturity. Give us grace, Yahweh! Always look at us through your eyes of love—your forgiving eyes of mercy and compassion. Keep showing the humble your path, and lead us into the best decisions. Bring revelation-light that trains us in the truth. May prosperity and favor will be our portion, and our descendants inherit the earth. May we sit near you and receive the revelation-secrets of your promises. May your blessings be upon these precious children, may your favor rest upon them, their children, and their children’s children. May their futures be filled with your holy legacy. May they never turn from trusting you. We ask in the strong name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
“Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.” (Psalm 127:4 NIV)
“He must increase [in prominence], but I must decrease.” (John 3:30 AMP)
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4 NIV)
“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].” (John 10:10 AMP)
“The Blessing Song”
May blessings be upon you, precious baby.
May favor rest upon your family.
May your future be a holy legacy,
May blessings be upon you, precious baby.
May He bless you in your coming;
May He bless you in your going;
May your heart be ever knowing the blessings of the Lord.
May blessings be upon your children’s children.
May favor rest upon your family.
May your future be a holy legacy,
May blessings be upon your children’s children.
by Nancy Gordon, Linda Walker, Jamie Harvill © 1992 by Integrity’s Hosanna! Music and Integrity’s Praise! Music
1Always I will lift up my soul into your presence, Yahweh.
2Be there for me, my God, for I keep trusting in you.
Don’t allow my foes to gloat over me or
the shame of defeat to overtake me.
3Could anyone be disgraced
when he has entwined his heart with yours?
But my foes will all be defeated and ashamed
when they harm the innocent.
4Direct me, Yahweh, throughout my journey
so I can experience your plans for my life.
Reveal the life-paths that are pleasing to you.
5Escort me into your truth; take me by the hand and teach me.
For you are the God of my salvation;
I have wrapped my heart into yours all day long!
6-7Forgive my failures as a young man,
and overlook the sins of my immaturity.
Give me grace, Yahweh! Always look at me
through your eyes of love—
your forgiving eyes of mercy and compassion.
When you think of me, see me as one you love and care for.
8How good you are to me!
When people turn to you, Yahweh,
they discover how easy you are to please—so faithful and true!
Joyfully you teach them the proper path,
even when they go astray.
9Keep showing the humble your path,
and lead them into the best decision.
Bring revelation-light that trains them in the truth.
10Loving are all the ways of Yahweh, loving and faithful for those who keep his covenant.
11For the honor of your name, Yahweh,
never count my many sins, and forgive them all—
lift their burden off of my life!
12Who are they that live in the holy fear of Yahweh?
You will show them the right path to take.
13Then prosperity and favor will be their portion,
and their descendants will inherit the earth.
14There’s a private place reserved for the devoted lovers of Yahweh,
where they sit near him and receive
the revelation-secrets of his promises.
15Rescue me, Yahweh, for you free my feet from every trap.
16Sorrows fill my heart as I feel helpless, mistreated—
I’m all alone and in misery!
Come closer to me now, for I need your mercy.
17Turn to me, for my problems seem to be going from bad to worse.
Only you can free me from all these troubles!
18Until you lift this burden, the burden of all my sins,
my troubles and trials will be more than I can handle.
Can’t you feel my pain?
19Vicious, violent enemies hate me.
There are so many, Lord. Can’t you see?
20Will you protect me from their power against me? I have taken shelter in you.
Let it never be said that when I trusted you,
you didn’t come to my rescue.
21Your perfection and faithfulness are my bodyguards,
for you are my hope and I trust in you as my only protection.
22Zealously, God, we ask you
to come save Israel from all her troubles,
for you provide the ransom price for your people! (Psalm 25 TPT)